Simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera

ABSTRACT

A simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera. In a preferred embodiment the system is mounted in a housing and includes a trigger with a trigger button for pressing by the operator and a trigger point for advancing the film in a film track, a shutter which is simultaneously advanced by the trigger with the film and along a shutter track, a ramp coupled to the housing which engages the trigger point and causes the film and shutter to release, a spring which is coupled to the housing and the shutter and causes the shutter to return to its original position, and a light baffle to reduce the amount of light exposed to the film when the shutter initially returns to its at rest position. In another embodiment suitable for use with 35 mm film, the system is mounted in a camera and includes a simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system which requires fewer components and fewer moving parts than existing cameras and which is operated by pressing the trigger which thereby advances the film and activates the shutter. In another embodiment, the system further includes a substantially unitary trigger mechanism to advance the film and actuate a rotary shutter.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 08/382,914, filed Feb. 3, 1995, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No.08/078,737, filed Jun. 16, 1993, and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,957, issuedFeb. 7, 1995, which prior applications and drawings in their entiretyare hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth in full herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention generally relates to cameras.

2. Description of the Related Art

Because of the popularity of photography in today's society, numeroustypes of cameras are available, often with relatively expensive options.Recently numerous types of single-use, or disposable, cameras havebecome available.

In spite of the many advances in photography, however, the manner inwhich cameras take pictures has changed very little since the inceptionof photography. Light sensitive film is enclosed in a light-proof box.When a picture is taken, light is allowed to enter the box for acontrolled length of time, and that light is focused through a lens ontoa part of the light sensitive film, thereby "exposing" one picture. Thefilm is then changed either by advancing the film from a storage spoolor reel to a take-up spool or reel if the film is a continuous roll, orby removing the exposed film and replacing it with unexposed film if thefilm is "plate" type film. The process can then be repeated.

The many innovations to this process include advanced film winders,focus and aperture controls, and improvements in flash technology. Thelist of innovations is almost endless. All these innovations, however,rely upon making the basic photographing mechanism more complex, and inmost cases more expensive. In light of the above, there is a need for asimplified camera design to reduce the cost of cameras, for greater easeof manufacture, and greater simplification of operation and ease of use.

Additionally, with the development of the single-use cameras, there hasbeen an increase in the convenience of cameras to tourists, cameranovices and other members of general public. Such single-use cameras,however, are often merely a plastic version of the same general designfound in more expensive reusable cameras. The least expensive single-usecameras still commonly use twenty-two parts or more. With so many parts,the cost of manufacture of even the least expensive single-use camerasremains relatively high.

Moreover, conventional single use cameras must utilize separate standardfilm cassettes to make film removal and film handling in non-light safeenvironments possible. These separate standard cassettes themselves havemany parts which both increase camera costs and also severely limitoptions for film movement and placement within the camera itself.Accordingly, there is a need for a camera which does not require aseparate standard film cassette with its attendant limitations, butwhich still provides all the advantages of the separate standard filmcassette.

Accordingly, there is a need for a single-use camera with a simplifiedshutter and film-advance system which minimizes the number of partsrequired and thereby reduces the cost of manufacture, and which furthersimplifies the operation of a basic camera.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 08/382,914. The present invention is directed to acamera and method for exposing film in cameras using a one piecemechanism to advance the film and actuate the shutter. The apparatus andmethod simplify the photographing process.

In a first, separate aspect of the present invention, a camera employsan arm, which simultaneously advances the film and cocks the shutter,allowing the shutter to expose the film upon release by the arm.

in a second, separate aspect of the present invention, a camera employsa trigger system which advances the film and actuates a shutter membercausing the shutter to expose the film.

In yet another, separate aspect of the present invention, a cameracontains a moveable wall in each film storage area allowing the pushingof the film into the storage area.

in yet another, separate aspect of the present invention, a film storagearea may be detachable from the camera while safely retaining theexposed film in a light-tight environment.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a camera andmethod for exposing film utilizing a substantially unitary trigger androtatable shutter armature,

In another aspect of this invention, a trigger strike bar bends againsta wedge stop as the trigger is pressed, storing kinetic energy until thestrike bar is released to actuate the shutter.

In another aspect of this invention, the trigger spring comprises anintegral coil which resists extension during trigger activation toreturn the trigger to its original position.

In another aspect of this invention, a single finger spring is molded asan integral part of the shutter armature, resting against the case toreturn the actuated shutter to its rest position.

In another aspect of this invention, the light seal in the opening ofthe breakaway film cassette comprises a chicane in double chevronconfiguration to prevent unwanted light from reaching film in thedetached cassette.

In another aspect of this invention, the axis of rotation of the shutterarmature is moved in the horizontal plane of the camera approximately103° from the plane of the shutter/aperture/aperture plate.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedapparatus and method for exposing film. Other objects and advantageswill be described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera case with a lens.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the lid.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shutter.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the trigger.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the trigger and film.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the spring.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the secondary lid.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the film.

FIGS. 9A-D are a four-part, top view stop action sequence of the camera,trigger and shutter.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away perspective view of the internal components of asecond camera.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a core and open top lid.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a core and open bottom lid.

FIG. 13 is a cut-away perspective view of the shutter box and lens.

FIGS. 14A-B are two-part, stop-action perspective views of a filmadvancement pusher point and ramp.

FIG. 15A-B are cut-away perspective views of a shutter box and a shuttermember where it passes through the shutter box.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a light-tight joint between a core andlid.

FIGS. 17A-F are six-part, stop action bottom views of the trigger memberand shutter member strike clip.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the trigger member.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the shutter member.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the film storage cassette.

FIG. 21 is a cross-section perspective view of the lower case, includingthe relative positions of certain interior camera components.

FIG. 22 is a cross-section perspective view of the upper case, includingthe relative positions of certain interior camera components.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective of the trigger assembly and counter wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments will now be described with respect to thedrawings. Like elements appearing in multiple figures are similarlynumbered.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the case 10 is a one-piece housingcomprised of any suitable material which is both durable, opaque andinexpensive such as plastic. The case 10 has two areas 12 and 14 forstorage of the film 11. A first area 12 is suitable for storing anddispensing the film 11 before exposure and the second area 14 issuitable for receiving and storing the film 11 after exposure. There isa small lip 16 on the floor 18 of the case 10, and a matching lip 20 onthe lid 22 running between storage areas 12 and 14, creating a filmtrack 24 along which the film 11 may be moved. The case 10 and lid 22form the housing for the camera and its interior parts.

The storage areas 12 and 14 have certain curved and straight segments 26and 28 which allow the film to be pushed rather than pulled into thestorage area, either when the film 11 is first loaded into the camera orafter it is exposed. Straight and curved segments 26 and 28 reducefriction between the film 11 and the case 10 and facilitate the movementof the film 11 into area 12 during film loading and into area 14 duringfilm advance. Storage areas 12 and 14 eliminate the need for spools,axles, spindles or other devices to advance the film 11 into storagearea 14.

The film track 24 contains an "S" curve, or bend 30, which preventsunwanted movement of the film 11 when it is in a relaxed position afterhaving been purposefully moved. This bend 30 prevents movement bycreating friction of a known value between the film 11 and the filmtrack 24 at an appropriate spot. The bend 30 preferably createssufficient friction through bending the film 11, yet not so muchfriction to damage the film 11 as it moves along the film track 24 andthrough the bend 30. The film track 24 and bend 30 help prevent unwantedmovement of the film 11.

The focal plane platform 32 is formed at the wall of the case 10 and isa raised area which reverses the bend in the film 11, causing the film11 to lie flat against the focal plane platform 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9A-D the trigger 34 may be aone piece part which may be made of plastic which passes through thecase 10 at, and pivots upon, a light-proof pintle 36 and gudgeon 37arrangement enclosed within a light-proof barrel or sheath 39. Thepintle 36 is preferably located on the case 10 and lid 22, and thegudgeon 37 is preferably part of the trigger 34.

The trigger 34 is initially at an at-rest (FIG. 9A) position. Thetrigger 34 may be activated by pressing on the trigger button 38 whichprotrudes from the case 10, causing the portion of the trigger 34 insidethe case to swing (FIGS. 9B and. 9C) in an arc. At the time of assembly,the trigger catch 40 is placed behind an angled stop 42 on the case 10.The trigger catch 40 acts like a spring to return the trigger 34 to itsoriginal at-rest (FIG. 9A) position after the trigger button 38 isreleased.

The trigger point 44, located at the furthest end of the interior partof the trigger 34, is that part which moves the film 11 in the filmtrack 24. When the trigger 34 is at-rest (FIG. 9A), the trigger point 44is poised above the film 11 in line with the sprocket holes 33 in thefilm 11, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 5. As the trigger button 38 ispressed and the trigger 34 and the trigger point 44 begin to move in anarc, the trigger point 44 drops into the first available film sprockethole 33 thus engaging and forming a positive link with the film 11. Asthe trigger button 38 continues to be pressed (FIG. 9B), the internalportion of the trigger 34 continues in an arc, advancing the film 11from the unexposed film storage area 12, along the film track 24, andinto the exposed film storage area

As the internal part of the trigger 34 approaches the end of itsavailable arc (FIG. 9C), a projection 46 on the trigger 34 engages anangled ramp 48 which may be part of the case 10. As the trigger 34continues its arc, the projection 46 rides up the angled ramp 48,lifting the trigger point 44 out of the sprocket hole 33 in the film 11,and causing the film 11 to stop moving at a predetermined point.

When the trigger button 38 is released by the operator after being fullypressed, the trigger 34 reverses its arc, allowing the trigger point 44to reverse its travel and slide back to the at-rest position, with thetrigger point 44 once again poised above the film 11 and in line withthe next sprocket hole 33 (FIGS. 9A and 5).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the angled stop 42 which is moldedinto the case 10, and behind which the trigger catch 40 of the moldedplastic trigger 34 is placed, has been molded with a specific angleshape 50. The angle shape 50 allows the trigger catch 40 to move on theangled stop 42, thereby compensating for the spring quality of theplastic or other suitable material used. The angled stop 42 has an angleshape 50 that allows the trigger catch 40 to have a controlled and evenspring tension throughout the travel of the trigger 34 through its arcof motion. The angle shape 50 is preferably designed to allow thetrigger catch 40 to maintain a relatively constant tension, or flex,while the trigger 34 is traveling through its arc.

The trigger point leading face 52 is molded at an angle so that once thetrigger point 44 has engaged the sprocket hole 33, the trigger point 44can be lifted out of the sprocket hole 33 without catching on the edgeof sprocket hole 33 which would cause undesired movement of the film 11.The trigger point following face 54 is also molded at an angle thatallows the trigger point 44 to return to the at-rest position withoutinterference from the film 11, and sprocket holes 33 or any otherobstacle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9A-9D, the trigger point interiorface 55 is molded at an angle that creates a true point as close to thefloor 18 of the case as possible, thereby preventing the trigger point44 from inadvertently dropping into and catching on the shutter opening56, thereby allowing the trigger 34 to fully return to its at-restposition.

The trigger arm 60 leading to the trigger point 44 is molded in such away that it acts as a spring to press the trigger point 44 towards thefilm 11, and to allow the trigger point 44 to travel (FIGS. 9A and 9B)in a line along the flat film track 24 rather than in an arc as theinterior portion of the trigger 34 is traveling. The trigger arm 60 alsoacts to press the trigger projection 46 towards the case 10 so that theprojection 46 will positively engage (FIG. 9C) the ramp 48.

The trigger projection 46 is molded at such an angle that it engages theramp 48 at a low angle of attack so it does not get caught on the ramp48 or present an abrupt change in movement of the trigger 34. As thetrigger 34 rotates through its arc, the ramp 48, with an increasingangle, lifts (FIG. 9C) the trigger point 44 as high as possible in thelength of arc available.

The ramp 48 is molded at such an angle that the projection 46 can easilyengage the ramp 48, and then the angle increases so the trigger point 44will be sufficiently raised to completely clear the film 11 and anyother moving parts by the end of the travel arc (FIG. 9D) of triggerpoint 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an aperture 62 in one side ofthe case. Just inside that aperture is a lens receptacle 64 in which thelens 66 is mounted. The lens 66 is preferably a one-piece injectionmolded lens, molded to focus light entering the aperture onto the film11 located at the focal plane platform 32. The lens receptacle 64, andthe receptacle closure 65 in the lid 22, form a complete light block, sothat any light entering the aperture 62 must pass through the lens 66.As light passes through the lens 66 it is contained in the light box 68area of the case 10 and the lid 22. The light box 68 prevents the lightfrom entering any other part of the camera other than to shine on thefocal plane platform 32 at the farthest end of the light box 68. Thelens receptacle 64 may be molded in such a way that the lens 66 can beeasily pressed into place and the lens receptacle 64 holds the lens 66in the correct position for focus, without movement and withoutsufficient force to distort the lens 66.

There is a light baffle 70, creating a vignette, molded into the side ofthe light box 68 in the case 10. The light baffle 70 is designed toslightly reduce the amount of light reaching one edge of the film to beexposed, thereby compensating for the initial inertia and resultingslower speed of the shutter 72 at the beginning of the movement of theshutter 72 across the focal plane platform 32 to expose a picture on thefilm 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 9A-D, the shutter 72 is a one pieceplastic part which in the preferred embodiment serves two functions: toprevent light from reaching the film 11, and to allow light to reach thefilm 11 when a picture is taken. In the preferred embodiment the shutter72 has at-rest FIG. 9A) and extended (FIG. 9C) positions. The extendedposition is achieved when the trigger 34 has nearly travelled to itsextended position. The shutter 72 returns to its at-rest positionthrough the use of the spring 82. The shutter 72 is basically a flatrectangular panel with a rectangular opening 56 in its center, and ahook-eye 74 at one end, and a push-plate 76 next to the hook-eye 74. Theshutter 72 is as wide as the film 11 being used. The shutter 72 has twoflat panel areas 78 and 80. Each of the flat panel areas 78 and 80 onthe sides of the opening 56 is preferably as long as the film requiredfor one "exposure". When the shutter 72 is at rest, flat panel 80 coversthat portion of the film 11 which is on the focal plane platform 32 atthe end of the light box 68, preventing it from being exposed. When theshutter 72 is at rest (FIG. 9A), the shutter opening 56 is outside thelight box 68. As the trigger button 38 is pressed and the trigger point44 advances the film 11, the leading face 52 of the trigger point 44 onthe trigger 34 also nearly simultaneously presses against the push-plate76 and slides the shutter 72 across the area in front of the focal planeplatform 32 of the light box 68 (FIG. 9B). The film 11 and the shutter72, both being moved by the leading face 52 of the trigger point 44 andmove at the same speed across the light box 68. As the shutter 72 andfilm 11 move together across the light box 68, the light in the lightbox 68 which shines on the shutter opening 56 over-exposes a part of thefilm 11 which will be between two pictures and is preferably not used.As the trigger point 44 which is pushing the film 11 and the shutter 72across the light box 68 approaches the end of its arc, the shutter 72achieves its most extreme position (FIG. 9C). In this extreme position,the shutter opening 56 is outside the light box 68 on the opposite sidefrom its at-rest position, and the other flat panel 78 of the shutter 72is protecting from exposure that part of the film 11 that is intended tobe exposed for a picture in this sequence.

As the projection 46 strikes the ramp 48 and rides up, the trigger point44 lifts free of the film sprocket hole 33, and the film 11 stopsadvancing. As the trigger point 44 continues to rise, it also releasesthe shutter 72, which is spring loaded with shutter spring 82. As theshutter spring 82 returns the shutter 72 towards its at rest position,the shutter opening 56 passes over the area of the focal plane platform32 and film 11, exposing one picture. When the shutter 72 is againat-rest, the shutter panel area 80 again covers the exposed filmpicture, preventing further exposure of the film 11 (FIG. 9D). Theshutter speed and resulting exposure time of the film 11 is determinedby, among other things, the size and weight of the shutter 72, the sizeof the rectangular opening 56, and the tension provided by shutterspring 82.

A single press of the trigger 34 spring loads the shutter 72, advancesthe film 11, and releases the shutter 72 to expose one picture. Thisaccomplishes an auto-wind feature eliminating the possibility of doubleexposures.

The push-plate 76 is molded at a specific angle so that as the triggerpoint 44 lifts out of the film sprocket hole 33 and the film 11 stopsmoving, the shutter 72 is also able to stop moving because the specificangle molded into the push-plate 76 allows the trigger point 44 tocontinue in its movement up the ramp and forward through the arc of theinterior trigger 34 without further advancing the shutter 72.

The shutter opening 56 is molded in such a way to prevent the triggerpoint 44 from hanging-up on or dropping into the shutter opening 56 whenit returns to the at-rest position.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-D, the trigger 34 and shutter 72 are shown asthey are assembled inside the case 10. In FIG. 9A, the trigger 34 andshutter 72 are in their at-rest position. In FIG. 9B, the trigger 34 isadvancing the shutter 72 and film 11. In FIG. 9C, the trigger projection46 has engaged and ridden up the angled ramp 48, and the film 11 andshutter 72 have reached their extreme position for an exposure sequence.In FIG. 9D, the trigger point 44 has finished its arc and the triggerprotection 46 has completed its travel up the ramp 48 releasing theshutter 72 which has returned to its original at-rest position afterbeing released by the trigger point 44. The trigger button 38 is thenreleased allowing the trigger 34 to return to its at-rest position asshown in FIG. 9A, while the film 11 remains in its advanced position forthe next sequence.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9A-D, the shutter spring 82 may bea one piece plastic spring, one end 84 of which is inserted into aspring receptacle 86 in the case 10, and the other end 85 of which ishooked into the hook-eye 74 on the shutter 72 at the time of cameraassemble. A purpose of the shutter spring 82 is to expose one picturewhen the shutter 72 is released by the trigger point 44 by moving theshutter 72 at constant known speed across the area of the focal planeplatform 32 and film 11 from the extreme position (FIG. 9C) of theshutter 72 back to its at-rest position (FIG. 9A).

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 9A-D, the case 10 and lid 22 bothhave short lips 88 and 16 in the case 10, and short lips 90 and 20 inthe lid 22, which create a shutter track 92 parallel to the film track24, and separates the film 11 from the shutter 72. The edges of theshutter 72 ride in the shutter track 92 with minimum and predictablefriction.

The at-rest end of the short lip 90 in the lid 22 which forms theshutter track 92 is molded at such an angle as to form a shunt 94 whichre-directs the momentum of the returning shutter 72, allowing theshutter 72 to immediately stop in the at-rest position, without bounceor shudder.

The upper lip 98, of the case 10 is molded in a "U" shape (not shown) toreceive the lip 100 of the lid 22 in such a way as to prevent theentrance of light into the Camera. One end of the case 10 and the lid 22is walled off 102 and light sealed to form a view-finder 104 for thecamera.

A slot 106 is molded into the case 10 in the side by the view-finder 104to facilitate the removal of the lid 22 for the removal of film 11.

The lid 22 is molded in such a way as to allow the part of lid 22 whichcovers the storage area 14 and the view-finder 104 to bend or breakalong a light box wall 110 beside the light box 68, so that when thecamera is being unloaded in a light-safe environment, the technician cansimply place a thumb or other suitable device in the slot 106 on thecase 10 and push the lip 100 above the thumb slot 106 upwards, renderingthe exposed film storage area 14 accessible for easy film removal.

The film loading slot 108 at the back of the case 10 and lid 22 is usedto push film 11 into the camera after the camera is fully assembled.After the film 11 is in the film storage area 12, the slot 108 iscovered with a light proof secondary lid 112.

Because the film is simply pushed into the camera's film storage area12, no spools, spindles or film cartridges or other devices are neededto hold the film 11 in the camera.

A second camera suitable for use with 35 mm film is now discussed.Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, disclosed is a camera core 110, atop lid 262 and a bottom lid 263 which, when all are assembled, create alight-tight body for the camera. A lens 166 may be approximatelycentrally located in all three dimensions in the camera. Behind the lens166 is a light box area 168 which may generally be in the shape of apyramid as shown in FIG. 12. The light box area 168 may also beconfigured in other shapes. The light box back surface 261 is adjacentand parallel to the focal plane 132. Film 11 may be located adjacent thelight box back surface 261, and light entering the camera body duringexposure of the film 11 is focused through the lens 166 to the focalplane 132. Behind and adjacent the lens 166 is first aperture plate 205having a hole or first aperture 162. First aperture plate 205 may beparallel to the plane of lens 166. Further behind the first apertureplate 205 may be a second aperture plate 206 with a larger, secondaperture 163. The second aperture plate 206 generally restrictsundesired light passing through aperture 162 from reaching the focalplane 132.

The first aperture plate 205 and the second aperture plate 206 are partof a box which forms a shutter enclosure 209, that blocks all lightwhich might otherwise enter the light box area 168 from the front of thecamera. Light for exposing the film 11 is, however, allowed to passthrough the lens 166 and the first and second apertures 162 and 163 tothe focal plane 132. The first aperture 162 may limit the light whichhas passed through the lens 166 so that the image reaching the focalplane 132 is preferably clear and sharp.

At the right side 265 of the camera is film storage area 112 whichstores film 11 before exposure. At the left side 264 of the camera isfilm storage cassette 114 which may store the film 11 after it has beenexposed. Between film storage area 112 and film storage cassette 114 isa film track 124 which may be formed by an upper lip 271 in the top lid262 and a corresponding lower lip 272 in the bottom lid 263. When film11 is moved from the film storage area 112 along the film track 124 ittravels across the focal plane 132 where it is exposed during actuationof the shutter.

In a dark room, film 11 may be loaded into the camera through a filmslot 108 in the back area of the camera core 110, along a portion of thefilm track 124, and into the film storage area 112. After loading, filmslot 108 may be closed with a gummed foil to prevent light from enteringthe camera body. During film loading, as the film 11 leaves the filmtrack 124 and enters film storage area 112, it moves along a generallythin, flexible storage blade 126 that generally extends from the innerfront wall of the camera core 110 into the storage area 112. Storageblade 126 may be formed into a series of curves and straight lines thatinitially cause the film 11 to curl and form a roll. As additional film11 is inserted into film storage area 112, the storage blade 126 mayflex in such a way to allow the roll of film to increase in diameter.This increasing diameter reduces the sliding friction of the film 11 asit coils and forms a roll. The storage blade 126 allows the film 11 tobe easily pushed into the film storage area 112, and substantiallyreduces or eliminates the need for additional parts such as multiplelight seals and storage spindles.

After exposure, film 11 may be advanced along the film track 124 andinto the film storage cassette 114 where it remains until development.As the film 11 leaves the film track 124 and enters the film storagecassette 114, it moves along a generally thin, flexible cassette blade128 that generally extends from an inner wall of the camera core 110into the film storage cassette 114. The cassette blade 128 may be formedinto a series of curves and straight lines that initially cause the film11 to curl and form a roll. As additional film 11 enters the filmstorage cassette 114, the cassette blade 128 may bend and flex in such away as to allow the roll of film 11 to increase in diameter. Thecassette blade 128 thus allows the film 11 to be easily pushed into thefilm storage cassette 114 and eliminates the need for additional partssuch as multiple light seals and storage spindles.

in a preferred embodiment, only two moving parts are needed toaccomplish complete camera operation. The first is trigger member 252which advances the film 11 and provides energy for actuation of theshutter 172. The second is a shutter member 225 which, when activated bythe trigger member 252, allows exposure of the film 11. A third,optional moving part is a film counter wheel 229 for indicating thenumber of exposures.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11, 17 and 18, the trigger member 252 mayinclude a rotating trigger rod 213 which is perpendicular to the top lid262 and bottom lid 263 of the camera, and can be rotatably attached tothe top lid 262 through a bearing hole 273. The trigger member 252 maybe made of two parts: an activation lever 138, which is an external partwhich the photographer uses to advance the film 11 and to take pictures,and a trigger rod 213 which may include appendages that are internalparts. The trigger rod 213 and activation lever 138 are movably attachedto the top lid 262 of the camera through the bearing hole 273 in such away as to form a light-tight seal. After passing down through the toplid 262 of the camera, the cross-section of trigger rod 213 may thin toform a torsion spring 140 running from the upper portion of the camerato the bottom lid 263 of the camera where it is retained in a springslot 142. Alternatively, the trigger rod 213 at this point may becomprised of a material with a sufficient modulus of elasticity toprovide the required twisting capability of the torsion spring 140. Thespring action of a torsion spring 140 serves to return the entiretrigger rod 213 and activation lever 138 to the "at rest" position afterlever activation by the photographer.

A trigger arm 134 is preferably molded as a contiguous part of thetrigger rod 213 and is parallel and adjacent to the top lid 262 of thecamera, perpendicular to the trigger rod 213, and extends from thetrigger rod 213 toward the film track 124. The trigger arm 134preferably consists of three parts, namely, a push bar 160, a lift bar221 and a strike bar 223. All three parts preferably exist in the sameplane, are connected at the end closest to the trigger rod 213, and allare separate at the ends furthest from the trigger rod 213.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 14A-B, 17A-F and 18, a first part of thetrigger arm 134 is a generally flexible push bar 160 extending from thetrigger rod 213 to the film track 124 area and generally ending in aflexible "C" shape 253. The furthermost part of the "C" shape 253 ispusher point 144, with a straight leading edge 258 meant to engage thefilm sprocket holes 33 for advancing the film 11 during leveractivation. As shown in FIG. 14A, as the pusher point 144 advances withthe film 11, it moves under the ramp 220 which may be an extension ofthe upper lip 271. During forward motion of the push bar 160, the ramp220 assures that the pusher point 144 remains securely engaged in thefilm sprocket hole 33. Should the forward motion of the push bar 160 notbe completed for any reason, and if the pusher point 144 is returned toits "at rest" position, the film 11 may be returned to the sameposition, thereby avoiding the unintentional advance and subsequent lossof unexposed film 11. The pusher point 144 advances the film 11 untilthe pusher point 144 is past the end of the ramp 220 and the push bar160 has struck and been stopped by the point stop 255.

The pusher point 144 may include sloped trailing edge 259 which causesthe pusher point 144 to rise up out of the film sprocket hole 33 when,after having been stopped, the direction of travel is reversed. As thepusher point 144 returns toward its "at rest" position, the slopedtrailing edge 259 may engage the ramp 220 and continue to rise up ontothe ramp 220, well clear of possible engagement in the film sprocketholes 33, and the pusher point 144 rides on top of the ramp 220 until itreturns to its "at rest" position.

Consequently, when the activation lever 138 is activated and fullydepressed, the trigger rod 213 may be rotated and the trigger arm 134and its parts all generally travel in an arc parallel to the top lid 262of the camera. The push bar 160 preferably travels in an arc along thefilm track 124, with the pusher point 144 located under the ramp 220 andengaged in a film sprocket hole 33. At the end of the arc, the push bar160 comes into contact with a point stop 255, which may be molded intothe top lid 262 of the camera, thereby stopping the advance of the film11 at the desired location. The pusher point 144 and flexible "C" shape253 are arranged in such a way that when the push bar 160 then starts toreturn to its "at rest" position, the pusher point 144 may rise out ofthe film sprocket hole 33 without further movement of the film, and passover the top of the ramp 220 during return to its "at-rest" position.

As shown in FIG. 18, the trigger arm 134 may include a rigid lift bar221 extending from the trigger rod 213 toward the film track 124, thatmay include a backward beveled lifting edge 222. Because the push bar160 is preferably flexible, when the push bar 160 hits point stop 255,the lift bar 221 may further proceed a distance along the arc to contactand release the strike bar 223.

The trigger arm 134 may include a flexible strike bar 223 extending fromthe trigger rod 213 toward the film track 124, with a trailing edge 260that may be beveled away from the direction of travel of the strike bar223.

As shown in FIGS. 17A-F, when the activation lever 138 is activated itpreferably turns the trigger rod 213 and moves the trigger arm 134 in anarc. This actuation generally causes the end of the strike bar 223 toengage a wedge stop 224 which may be molded or otherwise coupled to thetop lid 262 of the camera. As the trigger arm 134 continues along itsarc, the strike bar 223 generally bends with the end of the strike barpressed against the wedge stop 224. Eventually, the lift bar 221 comesagainst the bent strike bar 223 with the beveled lifting edge 222 of thelift bar 221 in contact with the beveled trailing edge 260 of the strikebar 223. As the lift bar 221 continues along its arc, the lifting edge222 lifts the strike bar 223 down over the face of the wedge stop 224,preferably allowing the strike bar 223 to release its energy for a quickforward movement.

It is this quick forward movement of the strike bar 223 which providesthe energy for actuation of the shutter member 225 and shutter 172. Asthe activation lever 138 is released, the trigger arm 134 may return toits "at rest" position against a return stop 266, and the strike bar 223rides up and over the sloping side of the wedge stop 224 and returns toits "at rest" position.

Again, referring to FIGS. 17A-F, the trigger arm 134 and its preferablycontiguous appendages are shown at rest in FIG. 17A. As the trigger arm134 starts its forward arc as shown in FIG. 17B, the push bar 160 withpusher point 144 starts moving the film 11 forward. At this point, thestrike bar 223 may begin to bend against the wedge stop 224, as shown inFIG. 17C. As the trigger arm 134 continues along its arc, the push bar160 with pusher point 144 continues to advance the film 11, the strikebar 223 bends further against the wedge stop 224. As the trigger arm 134approaches the end of its arc as shown in FIG. 17D, the push bar 160strikes against a point stop 255 and the film 11 arrives in position andceases to advance. At this point, the lifting edge 222 of the lift bar221 may come against the trailing edge 260 of the strike bar 223. As thetrigger arm 134 moves to the end of its arc as shown in FIG. 17E, thepush bar 160 remains stopped but flexes thereby allowing the lift bar221 to continue further. As the lift bar 221 continues, its lifting edge222 lifts the strike bar 223 down over the wedge stop 224, allowing thestrike bar 223 to release its energy in a quick forward movement againststrike clip 228, which is preferably a part of the shutter member 225.After the trigger arm has completed its arc, a torsion spring 140returns the trigger arm 134 and its distinct parts toward their "atrest" positions. As the trigger arm 134 returns toward its "at rest"position, the pusher point 144 slides backward through its arc and theflexible "C" shape 253 allows it to move up and out of a sprocket hole33 to begin its return toward its "at rest" position. The lift bar 221also moves back through its arc toward its "at rest" position, and thestrike bar 223 likewise moves back through its arc, sliding over theslope of the wedge stop 224. The entire trigger arm 134 arrives at its"at rest" position as shown in FIG. 17A ready for the next activation.

Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 15 and 19, the second moving part ofthe camera is a shutter member 225 which is preferably a free turningrod-shaped part with contiguous appendages. The shutter member 225 maybe perpendicular to the plane of the lens 166 and may be held in placeby a front receptacle 267 which may be molded as part of the front ofthe camera core 110, and a back receptacle 268 which may be molded aspart of the bottom lid 263. The shutter member 225 may include threeintegral appendages, namely, a shutter 172, a shutter cam 256 and astrike clip 228.

The shutter 172 may be a thin plate which extends at a right angle fromthe shutter member 225 and is preferably located between the twoaperture plates 205 and 206 of the shutter box 209. When "at rest," theshutter 172 generally covers the first aperture 162 to completelyprevent any light from shining on the interior of the light box 168 orupon the focal plane 132. When the shutter member 225 is rotated, theshutter 172 allows the desired light to reach the focal plane 132.Rotating the shutter member 225 in the opposite direction returns theshutter 172 to its "at rest" position covering the aperture 162, andagain blocking the passage of any light.

As shown in FIG. 19, a shutter cam 256 may be a small plate which may bemolded as part of the shutter member 225. When the shutter cam 256 is inits "at rest" position, a flexible spring tab 227, which may be moldedinto or otherwise coupled to the top lid 262 of the camera (as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11), presses flat against the shutter cam 256 holding theshutter member 225 in its "at rest" position. When the shutter member225 rotates, the shutter cam 256 presses the spring tab 227 to one side,away from its "at rest" position. When the actuating force is no longerapplied to the shutter member 225, the spring tab 227 presses againstthe shutter cam 256, pushes the shutter cam 256 flat again and rotatesthe shutter member 225 back to its "at rest" position.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 17A-F and 19, the strike clip 228 may comprise a"U"-shaped part which may be molded as part of the shutter member 225.When the strike bar 223 is released from the wedge stop 224, it hits thestrike clip 228, which pushes the long leg of the strike clip 228 andbends it toward the axis of the shutter member 225 until the long legpresses against the short leg. This movement of the long leg of strikeclip 228 effectively "closes" the gap between the two legs of the strikeclip 228 and rotating the shutter member 225 along its axis. As theshutter member 225 rotates, the strike clip 228 is rotated out of thepath of the strike bar 223, which continues past the possible arc of thestrike clip 228, leaving the strike clip 228 free to rotate back to its"at rest" position.

After the shutter member 225 has returned to its "at rest" position, thetrigger member 252 then preferably returns to its "at rest" positionthereby causing the strike bar 223 to pass above the shutter member 225and hit against the long leg of the strike clip 228 which, because it isopen and unimpeded, bends to allow the strike bar 223 to pass and toreturn to its "at rest" position.

Disks 270 and 271 may also be molded as part of the shutter member 225in such a way as to assist in making the joint where the shutter member225 passes through the shutter box 206 as light-tight as possible.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the camera may utilize a generally flexiblefilm counter wheel 229 which rests in a depression on an axle (notshown), which may be molded into the top lid 262 of the camera andlocated adjacent the trigger member 252. The top of the film counterwheel 229 generally has numbers indicating the number of exposuresavailable or completed. The underside of the film counter wheel 229 mayinclude ratchet teeth 257 pointing down toward the top of the camera. Asthe trigger member 252 rotates, a pawl 230, which may be a fixed part ofthe trigger member 252, preferably strikes against the vertical face ofa ratchet tooth 257 thereby advancing the film counter wheel 229 oneincrement. As the trigger member 252 returns to its "at rest" position,the pawl 230 strikes against the sloping face of the ratchet tooth 257,forcing the film counter wheel 229 to bend slightly upward, therebyraising the ratchet tooth 257 and allowing the pawl 230 to pass beneaththe ratchet tooth 257 and return to its "at rest" position.

Molded into top lid 262 may be a small tab 231 which engages the filmcounter wheel 229 between the ratchet teeth 257, thereby preventingundesired movement. When the lever and pawl 230 advance the film counterwheel 229, the small tab 231 forces the film counter wheel 229 to bendslightly upward. The small tab 231 may be located in such a way that ifthe trigger member 252 is not rotated sufficiently to activate theshutter member 225 and expose the film 11 and is released to return toits "rest" position, the sloping face of the ratchet tooth 257, pressingagainst the small tab 231, will cause the film counter wheel 229 to notadvance and to return to its previous position. Preferably, it is onlywhen the trigger member 252 is rotated sufficiently to cause theexposure of film 11 that the film counter wheel 229 is rotated to thenext increment.

Referring now to FIG. 10, 11, 12 and 20, the film storage cassette 114,where film 11 is preferably stored after exposure, may be removable toallow film processing facilities to easily process the exposed film 11.In order for the film storage cassette 114 to be removable, the openingwhere exposed film 11 moves into the film storage cassette 114 isgenerally light-tight upon removal. This light-tight environment may beaccomplished by the use of a flexible blade 233 which may have astandard velvet-like closure brush 234 attached. When the cassette core232 of the film storage cassette 114 is mated with the camera core 110,two extensions 236 of the camera core 110 preferably slide into thecassette opening and force the blade 233 away from the film track 124,thereby allowing free and unimpeded entry and travel of film 11 into thefilm storage cassette 114. When removing the film storage cassette 114,the extensions 236 slide away from the metal blade 233, thereby allowingit to form a light-tight closure of the film storage cassette 114. Thetop and bottom of the film storage cassette 114 are preferably molded aspart of the top lid 262 and bottom lid 263 of the camera so that theentire camera will be light-tight. At the time the film storage cassette114 is removed for processing, the parts of the top lid 262 and bottomlid 263 which seal the film storage cassette 114 may be broken away fromthe parts of the lids which seal the camera body. The film storagecassette 114 may also be molded as either a separate or contiguous partof the body of the camera.

An Alternative Embodiment

In another embodiment of the present invention, disclosed and describedis a standard camera in the relative shape of a rectangular box, whichin one preferred embodiment is of the size approximately 1"×2"×5.5".Referring now to FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, there is a lens 166 preferablylocated near the front 260 as shown. The area behind the lens 166 is alight box 168, which is approximately a four-sided pyramid whoseimaginary apex would preferably be located just beyond the lens 166. Theback focal plane 132 may be located at the surface of the light box 168,which is the base of the light box pyramid, and the area where the film11 is located, and upon which the lens 166 focuses light to expose thefilm 11. The area in front of the lens 166 is also generally afour-sided pyramid with its apex located near the lens 166, and is cutaway in such a manner as to allow light (from the subject to bephotographed) to enter the lens 166 without impediment or alteration.The altitudes of these two pyramids fall on an axis which isperpendicular to the plane of the lens 166 and which runs through thecenter of the lens 166.

The front 260 of the camera housing is generally parallel to the frontsurface of the lens 166. The back 261 of the camera housing may belocated approximately two inches from the back of the lens 166 in thepreferred embodiment, parallel to the focal plane 132, and adjacent tothe focal plane 132. Looking along an axis which runs through and isperpendicular to the back 261, lens 166, and the front 260 of thecamera, the top case ceiling 262 of the camera body is preferablylocated approximately one-half inch above the axis. The bottom casefloor 263 surface is preferably located approximately one-half inchbelow the axis. The left end 264 surface is preferably locatedapproximately three and a half inches to the left of the axis. The rightend 265 surface is located approximately two inches to the right of theaxis. Also disclosed is viewfinder 380 which preferably comprises anenclosed area toward the left end, which is open to front and back, andwhich may be used to indicate to the photographer what will be in viewin the photograph when taken.

Immediately in front of and adjacent to the lens 166 is inner aperture351 and inner aperture plate 305. This plate is parallel to the plane ofthe lens 166 and perpendicular to the axis of the lens 166. A shortdistance in front of the inner aperture plate 305 is outer apertureplate 307, preferably positioned along an axis parallel to the inneraperture plate 305. Outer aperture plate 307 also preferably comprisesan outer aperture 352. Outer aperture 352 is preferably large enoughsuch that a line drawn from any point on the focal plane 132 and passingthrough the inner aperture 351, would also preferably pass unimpededthrough the outer aperture 352. The edges of these two aperture platesare connected by short walls at the top, bottom, left and right, to formshutter box 206. Shutter box 206 blocks all light which might otherwiseenter the light box 168 from the front of the camera, except thespecific amount of light which passes through the outer aperture 352 andthen through the inner aperture 351, and then through the lens 166, thenshining on the focal plane 132. Inner aperture 351, as well as partiallycontrolling the amount of light that reaches the focal plane 132, mayalso serve as an element of focus for the light passing through the lens166 and onto the focal plane 132, helping to make the image reaching thefocal plane 132 as clear and sharp as possible. The inner aperture 351may also be beveled to provide a precise edge which contributes to theoptical system and focus of the camera.

At either end of the camera are film storage areas, and inside andbetween these film storage areas is film track 124, along which film 11is moved from one storage area across the focal plane 132 to the otherstorage area, as well as from outside the camera into a film storagearea during initial loading. Storage area 112 is preferably located inthe area at the right 265 end of the camera, and is used to store film11 before exposure. Cassette area 314 is preferably located at the leftend 264 of the camera and is used to store film 11 after it has beenexposed. Film 11 is loaded into storage area 112 by pushing it through afilm slot 108 in the back 261 of the camera, leading from outside thecamera into the film track 124 which directs the film 11 into storagearea 112.

As the film 11 enters storage area 112 during film loading and leavesthe film track 124, it moves along a thin, flexible storage blade 126that extends from the inner side wall of the right end 265 into thestorage area 112. The storage blade 126 may be formed into a series ofcurves and straight lines that first cause the film 11 to curl and formthe basis for a roll of film of particular diameter, and then bend andflex in such a way as to act as a movable storage area wall, therebyallowing the roll of film 11 to increase in diameter as more film 11 ispushed into the film slot 108. Without this storage blade 126, film 11in quantities of up to approximately twenty-four or more exposures couldnot effectively be pushed into the storage 112 area, and would insteadhave to be pulled into the storage area utilizing spindles, light sealsand many additional parts.

After exposure at the focal plane 132, film 11 is advanced along a filmtrack 124 and into the cassette area 314. As previously explained, asthe film 11 enters the cassette area 314, and leaves the film track 124,it moves along a thin, flexible cassette blade 128 that preferablyextends from the inner left wall of the cassette into the cassette area318. The cassette blade 128 consists of a series of curves and straightlines that first cause the film 11 to curl forming the basis for a rollof film of particular diameter, and then bend and flex in such a way asto act as a movable cassette wall thereby allowing the roll of film toincrease in diameter as more film 11 is pushed into the cassette 314.The cassette blade 128, like the storage blade 126, may be used tocreate a roll of film of either larger or smaller diameter andconsequently makes it possible to either push exposed film into thecassette with a minimum of effort, or if desired, to push exposed filminto a cassette of the same diameter as a standard film cassette.Without this cassette blade 128, film 11 in quantities of up toapproximately twenty-four or more exposures could not effectively bepushed into the cassette. Instead, film 11 would have to be pulled intothe cassette 314 utilizing spindles, light seals and many additionalparts.

There are only two moving parts needed to accomplish complete cameraoperation of the present preferred embodiment namely, the triggerassembly which advances the film and activates the shutter, and theshutter armature which comprises principally the shutter itself. Thereis also a third, optional moving part which is a film counter which isshown in FIG. 23.

As shown in detail in FIG. 23, the trigger assembly rotates along axis313 which is preferably perpendicular to the top and bottom of thecamera. The trigger assembly is preferably located in the front leftportion of the storage area 112. The trigger assembly may be molded intwo parts: the arm 334, an internal part, and the activation lever 138,an external part. During camera assembly, the arm 334 and lever 138 arepreferably glued together at the top of the camera, forming a lighttight seal and forming a movable joint with the top lid of the camera.

The trigger arm 334 may sit parallel and immediately adjacent to the topof the camera, perpendicular to the trigger axis 313, and extending fromthe axis 313 towards the film track 124. The trigger arm 334 consists ofthree distinct parts.

The first part of the trigger arm 334 is push bar 350. The push bar 350preferably extends from the axis 313 toward the film track 124,preferably riding flush against the top case ceiling 262 of the camera,and ending in a flexible "L" shape 353. The furthermost part theflexible "L" shape 353 is a film pusher point 144, preferably having astraight leading edge 258 that engages a film sprocket hole 33, therebyadvancing the film 11 during lever activation. The pusher point 144 alsohas a pusher point trailing edge 259, which temporarily raises thepusher point 144 out of the sprocket hole 33 when direction of travel ofthe pusher point 144 is reversed.

When the lever 138 is activated and fully depressed, the push bar 350travels in an arc along the film track 124 with the pusher point 144engaged in a sprocket hole 33 thereby advancing the film 11. At the endof the arc, the pusher point 144 contacts hard stop 355, which is moldedinto the top case ceiling 262 of the camera, which acts to preciselystop the advance of the film 11. Along the leading edge of the push bar350 is an area which may be angled at approximately forty-five degreesbackward and down from the top case ceiling 262. This area is called thelifting edge 322. Because the "L" shape 353 is flexible, when the pusherpoint 144 abuts up against the hard stop 355, the push bar 350 maycontinue a short distance further in its arc of travel. The pusher point144 and "L" shape 353 are arranged in such a way that when the push bar350 starts to return to its "at rest" position, the pusher point 144 mayrise out of the sprocket hole 33 and pass over the top of the film 11between the sprocket holes, and then return to the pusher point'sat-rest position.

The second part of the trigger arm 334 of the trigger assembly is aflexible strike bar 223. The strike bar 223 extends from the axis 313,approximately three-fourths of the distance to the film track 124. Thestrike bar 223 preferably rides flush against the top case ceiling 262of the camera. The trailing edge 221 of the strike bar 223 is preferablybeveled away from the top case ceiling 262 of the camera, and away fromthe direction of travel of the strike bar 223. The strike bar 223preferably bends easily in the plane of travel of the arm 334, and alsoat right angles to the plane of travel of the arm 334. When the lever138 is activated to turn the arm 334 in an arc about the axis 313, theend of the strike bar 223 moves adjacent to a wedge stop 219, which maybe molded into the top case ceiling 262 of the camera. The wedge stop219 is preferably of a wedge shape with the flat edge vertical to thetop of the camera and closest to the strike bar 223, and with the slopeof the wedge preferably disappearing into the top case ceiling 262 as itslopes away from the strike bar 223 and the vertical edge of the wedgestop 219. As the arm 334 continues to turn, the strike bar 223preferably bends with the end of the strike bar 223 pressed against thewedge stop 219. The beveled lifting edge 322 of the push bar 350 thencontinues until it comes against the trailing edge 221 of the bentstrike bar 223. As the push bar 350 continues in its arc, the liftingedge 322 lifts the strike bar 223 down and over the face of the wedgestop 219, allowing the strike bar 223 to release its energy in the formof a quick forward movement of the strike bar 223. It is this quickforward movement of the strike bar 223 in striking a part of the shutterarmature that causes the shutter armature to move and actuate theshutter.

Another preferable function of the strike bar 223, as part of thetrigger assembly, is the isolation of the action of the shutter armaturefrom the action of the trigger assembly 375. This isolation functionfeatures a constant level of kinetic energy stored in the strike bar 223when it is fully bent, a constant rate of energy release (i.e., constantspeed of the strike bar 223 at its release) when the strike bar 223 islifted free of the wedge stop 219 to strike a part of the shutterarmature, and a resulting constant rotational speed of the shutterarmature. These constants are true regardless of the strength or speedat which the lever 138 part of the trigger assembly 375 is moved by theoperator during the picture taking process, and it is these propertieswhich allow the operator to both energize and activate the shutter withone single motion against one part without adversely affecting picturequality or consistency.

The third part of the trigger arm 334 is coil spring 340. Theconfiguration of the coil spring 340 is best described as starting frombeneath the trigger arm 334, and moving parallel to the plane of the topcase ceiling 262, and then proceeding toward the right, then the front,then the left, and then toward the back of the case. The coil spring 340thus forms a coil, the free end of which is secured during cameraassembly by sliding it into a spring slot 342, which may be an integralpart of the top case ceiling 262. A spring slot keeper 343 holds thecoil spring 340 in place after camera assembly. The spring slot keeper343 may be formed as an integral part of the bottom case floor 263. Thecoil spring 340 serves to rotate the trigger assembly 375 about the axis313, returning the trigger arm 334 and lever 138 to their "at rest"positions after lever activation is complete. As the lever 138 isreleased and the trigger arm 334 returns to its "at rest" position, thestrike bar 223 rides down and over the sloping side of the wedge stop219 and returns to its "at rest" position.

Upon activation of the lever 138 about the axis 313, the action of thearm 334 is as follows:

The arm 334 first starts its forward arc. The push bar 350 and pusherpoint 144 start moving the film 11 forward. The strike bar 223 thenbegins to bend against the wedge stop 219. As the arm 334 continuesalong its arc path, the push bar 350 with pusher point 144 continue toadvance the film 11. As the arm 334 then approaches the end of its arc,the pusher point 144 strikes against a stop 355 and the film 11 arrivesin position and rests. The lifting edge 322 of the push bar 350 movesnext to the trailing edge 221 of the strike bar 223. The arm 334 thenmoves to the end of its arc. The pusher point 144 remains motionless,but the "L" shape 353 flexes, allowing the push bar 350 to continue abit further. This continuation causes the lifting edge 322 of the pushbar 350 to move against the trailing edge 221 of the strike bar 223,thereby lifting the strike bar 223 over the wedge stop 219. The strikebar 223 releases its energy in the form of a constant quick forwardmovement, thereby striking a part of the shutter armature.

Upon release of the lever 138, the extended coil spring 340 returns thetrigger assembly 375 toward its "at rest" position and the action of thearm 334 is as follows:

The pusher point 144 starts backward along its arc and the "L" shape 353allows it to move up and out of a sprocket hole 33. The push bar 350moves back along its arc toward its "at rest" position. The strike bar223 moves back along its arc, slides down over the slope of the wedgestop 219, and then completes its movement toward its "at rest" position,ready for the next lever activation.

The second moving part is the shutter armature 325. The shutter armature325 is preferably axial, and may be located along a line from the frontof the camera toward the back of the camera, and in a preferredembodiment is at an angle of approximately 103 degrees (rotated in thehorizontal plane of the camera, measured from the vertical plane of thefront of the camera). This location preferably forms an axis parallel tothe top case ceiling 262 and the bottom case floor 263, at an angle ofapproximately 103 degrees from the vertical plane of the front of thecamera. The shutter armature 325, free turning, preferably sits in alight-tight front receptacle 367, located in the right side of the inneraperture plate 305, and in a back receptacle 369, which is preferablylocated approximately one-half of the distance between the shutter box206 and the film track 124. Both receptacles are molded integral partsof both the top case ceiling 262 and the bottom case floor 263, formingcomplete receptacles.

In a preferred embodiment, there are five configurations molded as partof the shutter armature 325. The first preferred configuration is theshutter 172, which is a thin plate located in the plane of rotation ofthe shutter armature, and in the preferred embodiment is positionedparallel to the plane of the front of the camera, at an angle of 103° tothe axis of the shutter armature 325. The shutter 172 is located on theportion of the shutter armature 325 between the inner aperture plate 305and the outer aperture plate 307, and is wholly contained within theshutter box 206. The shutter 172 extends from the shutter armature 325separating the inner aperture 351 and the outer aperture 352. Theshutter 172 presses snugly against the inner aperture plate 305,completely blocking light from the outer aperture 352. When the shutterarmature 325 is rotated, the shutter 172 moves forward, because of thenon-perpendicular cant of the shutter armature axis, and downward awayfrom the inner aperture 351, because of the axial rotation of theshutter armature. This movement allows the light shining through outeraperture 352 to continue through the inner aperture 351, through thelens 166 and the light box 168, and onto the focal plane 132, therebyexposing the film 11. Rotation of the axle in the opposite directionreturns the shutter 172 to its "at rest" position.

A second preferred configuration is the light tight seal formed by outerdisk 370 and inner disk 371, where the shutter armature 325 passesthrough the front receptacle 367, preventing any unwanted light fromentering the interior of the camera from the shutter box 206.

A third preferred configuration is a finger spring 356, a small fingerof plastic preferably formed as an integral extension of the shutterarmature 325, located near the point where the shutter armature 325rests in the back receptacle 369, and proceeding about a quarter of aninch away from and parallel to the axis of the shutter armature 325. Thefinger spring 356 preferably ends where it is loosely retained andpresses movably against the spring rest 327. When the shutter armature325 is in its "at rest" position, the finger spring 356 is slightlyflexed, holding the shutter 172 against the inner aperture plate 305.When the shutter armature 325 is rotated to open the shutter 172 toexpose the film 11, the finger spring 356 preferably being stronglyflexed, immediately returns the shutter 172 to its at rest position.

A fourth preferred configuration is anvil 337, a spring like structurewhich looks like a flat capital letter "L". The main leg of the anvil337 is preferably an integral extension of the shutter armature 325. Theanvil 337 is positioned not coincident with the axis of the shutterarmature 325, but slightly to one side of, and parallel to, the axis ofthe shutter armature 325. The short leg 339 of the "L" of the anvil 337turns up at a right angle toward the top case ceiling 262. When thestrike bar 223 is released from the wedge stop 219, it hits the anvil337, pushing the short leg 339 of the anvil 337 away and downward alongthe rotational plane of the shutter armature 325. This hit, whichrotates the shutter armature 325 along its axis, causes the shutter 172to move away from the inner aperture 351 in the shutter box 206, causingthe finger spring 356 to press strongly against the spring rest 327. Asthe shutter armature 325 rotates, the short leg 339 of the anvil 337rotates both away and down out of the path of the strike bar 223. Thestrike bar 223 continues past the possible arc of the short leg 339 ofthe anvil 337, leaving the anvil 337 and the short leg 339 of the anvil337 free to rotate back in the opposite direction towards their at restpositions. The finger spring 356 rotates the shutter armature 325 backtoward its "at rest" position returning the shutter 172 to its "at rest"position over the inner aperture 351. The anvil 337 returns to its "atrest" position. When the trigger assembly is then released and allowedto return to its "at rest" position, the strike bar 223, passes over thewedge stop 219 and above the shutter armature 325, hitting the short leg339 of the anvil 337. The anvil 337, because it is flexible at rightangles to the direction of travel of the strike bar 223 and because theshort leg 339 of the anvil 337 is sloped, preferably bends downward, outof the way, allowing the strike bar 223 to pass and to return to its "atrest" position.

A fifth preferred configuration is a counterbalance (not shown) whichmay be positioned on the shutter armature 325 between the points wherethe shutter armature 325 rests in the front receptacle 367 and the backreceptacle 369. This counterbalance negates any tendency of the shutterto move as a result of any inadvertent hit or abrupt movement of thecamera.

During rotation of the shutter armature 325, the shutter 172 preferablystrikes the floor of the shutter box 206, causing the shutter armature325 to stop its rotation and to bounce back towards its at restposition. The finger spring 356, pressing relatively strongly againstthe spring rest 327, then continues the shutter armature 325 rotating inthe opposite direction, toward its "at rest" position.

The rotating shutter armature 325 thereby moves the shutter 172 back toits position over the inner aperture 351, preventing the passage oflight from outer aperture 352 through inner aperture 351, therebypreventing further exposure of the film 11 until the next operationalcycle. The shutter armature 325 and all its configurations then returnto their "at rest" positions.

The camera also preferably utilizes a flexible film counter wheel 229which may sit in a depression on an axle which is molded into the topcase ceiling 262 of the camera and sits adjacent to the lever 138 whichactuates the camera. The top of the counter wheel 229 may have numbersindicating the number of exposures available and completed. Theunderside of the counter wheel 229 preferably has ratchet teeth 257pointing down toward the top of the camera. As the lever 138 isactivated, a pawl 230 which is a fixed part of the lever 138, strikesagainst the vertical face of a ratchet tooth 257, advancing the counterwheel 229 one increment. When the lever 138 is released to return to its"at rest" position, the pawl 230 strikes against the sloping face of theratchet tooth 257, forcing the counter wheel 229 to bend slightlyupward, raising the ratchet tooth 257, and allowing the pawl 230 to passbeneath the ratchet tooth 257 and return to its "at rest" position. Onthe opposite side and beneath the counter wheel 229, a small tab 231,beveled at one edge, may be molded into the top of the camera in such away as to stick up between two ratchet teeth 257 to hold the counterwheel 229 in position and prevent unwanted movement. When the lever andpawl 230 advance the counter wheel 229, the tab 231, by blocking theratchet tooth 257, forces the counter wheel 229 to bend upward slightly,allowing the ratchet tooth 237 to pass over the small tab 231, allowingthe counter wheel 229 to advance to the next increment.

Another part of the camera is the cassette 314 where film 11 is storedafter exposure. The opening 335, where exposed film 11 moves into thecassette 314, preferably allows the film 11 to move through a chicane336 in a double chevron format. This double chevron format allows thefilm 11 to easily pass through, and also forms a light tightconfiguration. When the cassette is removed from the camera, creating asituation in which light has access to and can shine into the opening335 of the cassette 314, the high and low points of the upper and lowerparts of the chicane 336 interrupt the straight line travel of any lightwhich might enter through the opening 335 of the cassette 314. Thechicane 336 prevents such light from passing through and into thecassette 314, where it might further expose the film 11.

After the film 11 is exposed and stored in the cassette, and thecassette 314 is removed from the camera, the cassette can be handled ina "not light safe" environment without exposure of the film. The upperand lower halves of the cassette 314 may be molded as integral parts ofthe top and bottom halves of the camera case so the entire camera andcassette may be a light-tight unit when assembled. In this embodiment,the cassette may be connected to the camera case by only two smallattachments at the side of the film track 124 where the film track 124passes into the cassette 314 just before the chicane 336. Thisattachment may be easily broken apart during the removal of thecassette.

An advantageous and useful feature of the present preferred embodimentis that the axis of rotation of the shutter 172 while still being at a90° angle to the vertical plane of the shutter/aperture when the shutteris at rest, is not at a 90° angle to the horizontal plane of theshutter/aperture when the shutter is at rest. Rather the axis ofrotation is preferably now approximately 103° from the vertical plane ofthe shutter/aperture when the shutter is at rest. This change in therotational axis means that when the shutter is at rest it is pressedtight against the aperture plate 305 for the best possible light tightseal, and as the shutter 172 begins to rotate to clear the aperture toexpose film, the shutter is moving away from the aperture plate 305 andno longer touches the aperture plate 305 so there is no impediment tothe motion of the shutter 172. When the shutter 172 returns toward itsat rest position there is still no contact with the aperture plate 305which might impede the arrival of the shutter 172 at its rest position.It is at a moment nearly simultaneous with the shutter 172 reaching theat rest position that the shutter preferably comes into contact with theaperture plate 305, once again pressing tight against the aperture plate305, and thereby creating an optimal light tight seal over the aperture.

Another advantageous and useful feature of the present invention is thatthe usual spring functions to keep the shutter closed when not in useand to close the shutter when it has been used, are preferably replacedby a single finger spring molded as an integral part of the shutterarmature, resting against the case.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is theisolation of shutter action from trigger action in that the amount ofkinetic energy stored in the bent leg, the rate of energy release (i.e.speed of the leg at release) when the leg is lifted free of the stop tostrike the anvil, and the resulting shutter speed are constant, withoutany regard to the strength or speed at which the trigger is moved by theoperator during the picture taking process.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is thatthe part of the shutter axle called the anvil 337 has been designed sothat when the anvil 337 is struck, causing the shutter axle to rotate,the direction of travel of the anvil is both away from the strike barand primarily downward out of the way of the strike bar when that bar iscontinuing its strike motion arc. This offset allows a much smaller case(utilizing less material and requiring less manufacturing cycle time)without diminishing the ability of the anvil to clear the travel path ofthe strike bar 223.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is thatthe anvil 337 is in fact shaped like a wide "L". This allows it to beperfectly rigid in resisting the hit of the strike bar 223, therebycausing the shutter axle to rotate axially, but is flexible verticallyin the plane of rotation, allowing the strike bar 223 during its returnto its at rest position to pass over a wedge stop 219 and to move theanvil 337 out of its way and pass on to its at rest position. If theanvil 337 were not inflexible in the direction of travel of the strikebar 223, its being struck would not rotate the shutter axle. If theanvil 337 were not flexible at right angles to the direction of travelof the strike bar 223, the strike bar 223 would be prevented fromreturning to its at rest position.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is thatthe shutter armature 325 has been counterbalanced so any accidentalmovement or inadvertent hit from any direction will preferably not havea tendency to cause the shutter to inadvertently open and accidentallyexpose film. Additionally, the counterbalance itself may be increased inbalanced mass in order to affect the rotational speed of the shutterarmature 325.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is thatthe trigger spring may be an integral coil spring which resistsextension during trigger activation, substantially decreasing theoverall dimensions of the camera.

Another advantageous and novel feature of the present invention is theconfiguration of the light seal in the opening of the "breakaway" filmcassette. Whereas numerous parts and configurations were previouslyrequired for light tight seal, the present invention preferablyutilizes, a chicane in double chevron configuration which does notimpede the movement of film into or out of the breakaway cassette, butprevents unwanted light from getting into the cassette while thecassette is being broken away or after the cassette has been removedfrom the camera.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments containedherein.

Thus a camera with a simplified trigger, shutter and film advance systemhaving a reduced number of parts has been shown and described. Thoughcertain examples and advantages have been disclosed, further advantagesand modifications may become obvious to those skilled in the art fromthe disclosure herein. The current invention, therefore, is not to belimited except in the spirit of the claims that follow.

What is claimed:
 1. A camera comprisinga housing including an aperturein an exterior wall, a wedge stop, and a film track for receiving film;a lens mounted adjacent said aperture; a shutter rotatably mounted insaid housing, said shutter being rotatable between a rest position andan actuated position, said shutter covering the aperture in the restposition and opening the aperture in the actuated position to allowlight to enter said housing and thereby expose the film; a substantiallyunitary trigger rotatably mounted in said housing and having consecutivefirst, second and third positions, said trigger comprising an arm and astrike bar constructed and arranged to advance from said first position,through said second position, to said third position, said arm engaginga sprocket hole in the film at said first position and advancing thefilm until reaching said second position, said strike bar engaging saidwedge stop between said first and third positions, and said arm engagingand releasing said strike bar from said wedge stop at said thirdposition to thereby allow said strike bar to strike said shutter androtate said shutter from said rest position to said actuated position.2. The camera of claim 1, further comprisinga spring coupled to saidshutter and to said housing, and adapted to return said shutter to saidrest position.
 3. The camera of claim 1, further comprisinga coil springcoupled to said trigger and against said housing, and adapted to returnsaid trigger to said first position.
 4. The camera of claim 1, furthercomprisinga film storage area located in said housing and having aflexible blade for storage of film prior to exposure.
 5. The camera ofclaim 1, further comprisinga cassette storage area located in saidhousing and having a flexible blade for storage of film after exposure.6. The camera of claim 5, wherein said cassette storage area isremovable from the camera.
 7. The camera of claim 6, wherein saidcassette storage area includes a film track for receiving film, saidfilm track having a chicane in double chevron configuration to preventlight from reaching said film inside said cassette storage area aftersaid cassette storage area is removed from the camera.
 8. A method forexposing film in a film track comprising the steps ofmoving a triggerhaving an actuation lever, a push bar, an arm and a strike bar, bypushing said actuation lever, from a first position, through a secondposition, to a third position, whereby said arm engages the film in thefilm track at the first position and advances the film until reachingthe second position, said strike bar engaging a wedge stop between thefirst position and the third position, thereby storing potential energyin said strike bar; releasing the stored potential energy in said strikebar at the third position to actuate a shutter that is movable between arest position and an actuated position, said shutter covering said filmfrom exposure to light when in said rest position and not covering saidfilm from exposure to light when in said actuated position.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising the step of returning thetrigger to the first position using a coil spring.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising the step ofreturning theshutter to its original position using a/spring.